North county to get new transit lot

MARYSVILLE – Community Transit plans to build a new park-and-ride lot in the north Marysville-Arlington area.

The lot would add up to 600 parking spaces to help commuters reduce the number of vehicles on the roads, Community Transit spokesman Martin Munguia said.

“The three park-and-rides in Marysville are essentially full,” he said. “We do need the extra capacity.”

Community Transit’s development plans are good news for the city, Marysville’s chief administrative officer Mary Swenson said.

“Any time we can get additional park-and-ride lots in the Marysville and surrounding areas that will take cars off the roadways, we’re very excited about that process,” Swenson said.

The $2.2 million Ash Avenue lot expansion, which opened in July 2003, increased the number of parking stalls from 50 to 198.

“That filled up just about as quickly as it was completed,” Swenson said.

“We also have areas in town where there are bus stops, and people are parking along the roads. We want to encourage people to use transit because it helps the whole transportation system by taking additional cars off the roads.”

After studying sites, which likely will take the rest of this year, Munguia said, Community Transit officials will refine the project, establish a timeline and seek funding.

“This is a high-priority project,” he said.

It’s part of a much-delayed Regional Transportation District plan for Snohomish, King and Pierce counties that could go to voters next year for funding approval.

“If that funding doesn’t materialize, the Community Transit now has some money they’ve made available, and we will look at other things,” Munguia said.

The agency and Munguia were incorrectly identified in this story when it ran originally. Corrections have since been made.

Reporter Cathy Logg: 425-339-3437 or logg@heraldnet.com.